THE IRISH TERRIER 



477 



Feet and Legs. Feet should be strong, tolerably round, and moderately small ; 

 toes arched, and neither turned out nor in ; black toe nails most desirable. Legs 

 moderately long, well set from the shoulders, perfectly straight, with plenty of 

 bone and muscle ; the elbows working freely clear of the sides ; pasterns short and 

 straight, hardly noticeable. Both fore and hind legs should be moved straight 

 forward when travelling, the stifles not turned outwards, the legs free from feather, 

 and covered, like the head, with as hard a texture of coat as body, but not so long. 



Coat. Hard and wiry, free from softness or silkiness, not so long as to hide 

 the outlines of the body, particularly in the hindquarters, straight and flat, no 

 shagginess, and free from lock or curl. 



Colour. Should be "whole coloured," the most preferable being bright red, 

 red, wheaten, or yellow red. White sometimes appears on chest and feet ; it is 

 more objectionable on the latter than on the chest, as a speck of white on chest 

 is frequently to be seen in all self-coloured breeds. 



Size and Symmetry. The most desirable weight in show condition is, for a 

 dog 24lb., and for a bitch 22lb. The dog must present an active, lively, lithe, 

 and wiry appearance ; lots of substance, at the same time free from clumsiness, 

 as speed and endurance, as well as power, are very essential. They must be 

 neither "cloddy nor cobby," but should be framed on the "lines of speed," 

 showing a graceful "racing outline." 



Temperament. Dogs that are very game are usually surly or snappish. The 

 Irish Terrier as a breed is an exception, being remarkably good tempered, notably 

 so with mankind, it being admitted, however, that he is perhaps a little too ready 

 to resent interference on the part of other dogs. There is a heedless, reckless pluck 

 about the Irish Terrier which is characteristic, and, coupled with the headlong 

 dash, blind to all consequences, with which he rushes at his adversary, has earned 

 for the breed the proud epithet of "The Dare-devils." When "off duty" they 

 are characterised by a quiet, caress-inviting appearance, and when one sees them 

 endearingly, timidly pushing their heads into their master's hands, it is difficult to 

 realise that on occasions, at the " set on," they can prove they have the courage of 

 a lion, and will fight unto the last breath in their bodies. They develop an extra- 

 ordinary devotion for their masters, and have been known to track them almost 

 incredible distances. 



SCALE OF POINTS 



POSITIVE POINTS 



Head, Ears, and Expression ... 20 



Legs and Feet ... . 15 



Neck ... ... ... 5 



Shoulders and Chest ... ... 10 



Back and Loin ... ... 5 



Hindquarters and Stern ... 10 



Coat ... ... ... 15 



Colour ... ... ... 10 



Size and Symmetry ... ... 10 



Total ,. 100 



NEGATIVE POINTS 



White Nails, Toes, and Feet, minus 10 

 Much White on Chest 10 



Dark Shadings on Face 

 Mouth Undershot or Cankered 

 Coat Shaggy, Curly, or Soft 

 Uneven in colour . 



5 

 10 



10 



5 



Total ... 50 



